abusing of others, and (as we now say) putting tricks upon them, than upon soundness of their own proceedings. But Salomon saith, Prudens advertit ad gressus suos: stultus divertit ad dolos.[1]
XXIII. Of Wisdom for a Man's Self.
An ant is a wise creature for itself, but it is a shrewd[2] thing in an orchard or garden. And certainly men that are great lovers of themselves waste[3] the public. Divide with reason between self-love and society; and be so true to thyself, as thou be not false to others;[4] specially to thy king and country. It is a poor centre of a man's actions, him-
- ↑ The prudent man looks to his steps: the fool turns aside to deceits. Proverbs xiv. 8. This is a translation of Bacon's Latin. The Authorized Version is: "The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit." As Bacon remembered this saying of Solomon's, it seems to be made up from two verses of the Vulgate, loosely quoted:—Sapientia callidi est intelligere viam suam; et imprudentia stultorum errans. Proverbs xiv. 8, and astutus considerat gressus suos. Proverbs xiv. 15.
- ↑ Shrewd. Sly, mischievous, unkind.
"For many are wise in their own ways that are weak for government or counsel; like ants, which is a wise creature for itself, but very hurtful for the garden." Advancement of Learning. II. xxiii. 10.
"Do my Lord of Canterbury
A shrewd turn, and he is your friend for ever."
Shakspere. King Henry VIII. v. 2.
- ↑ Waste. To lay waste; to devastate.
- ↑
"To thine own self be true;
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man."
Shakspere. Hamlet, i. 3.
